Bacon Macleod
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B2 Chapter 175: Camaraderie pt. 2
🕑 Added 2025-01-18 20:30:00 +0000 UTCAs a group they left the hard packed road that cut its way through the sun-drenched Hanset Woods. Cutting across the berm, they made their way through the trees. Stout and healthy things, a mixture of oaks, ash, and many others that spread a wide canopy.
Light underbrush crunched underfoot as Kaius took the lead, plunging deep enough that they could no longer be seen from the road. As he looked around his surroundings, Kaius couldn’t help but feel strangely out of place. For all this place was nominally similar to the Sea, it was too…loose. They were nearly a hundred strides into the tree line and he could still clearly see the road. Breaks in the canopy were common, and the underbrush had none of the hearty vitality of the brush that rose as tall as he was that he was used to.
Eventually finding a decent dip in the ground, Kaius waved Porkchop over and unfastened their Dimensional Tent. Setting the storage bag in a small hollow surrounded by bushes, he activated the artefact with his mana before promptly scrunching his eyes shut and shielding them with his arm for good measure.
No need to subject himself to interdimensional truths beyond mortal comprehension. Not today, and hopefully never again.
As the tent materialised with a subtle pop, Kaius heard Ianmus jump next to him.
“What the hells is tha—hang on, why are you covering your eyes?” Ianmus started, before addressing him with plain confusion.
Groaning in resignation, he opened his eyes once more.
“Ocular skill. First time he opened it he got a little spooked by what he saw.” Porkchop explained with a snicker.
Taking a last look at the thin leather tent, vaguely making out the impression of another bush nestled amongst its cousins, Kaius turned to Ianmus and sighed. “It’s dimensional, and has an illusion cloak. Some sort of janky spatial effect didn’t react well with me when I saw it, I recommend against looking if you ever are able to.”
He stepped forwards, opening the tent’s flap to reveal the larger, rather homely space within.
“Now come on, we can talk inside.”
Porkchop led the way, diving into their space to nestle himself on the wide cushioned mattress covered in furs. Their mage, on the other hand, stared at the interior in shock as he numbly made his way in.
Stepping in after the man, Kaius let the flap fall closed and took a seat on the spacious floor. Ianmus was still standing in the centre of the space, turning slowly as he took in the interior with wide eyes.
“Why would you hide something so useful?” Ianmus asked absentmindedly. “I can think of a dozen times being able to hide in plain sight would have saved us plenty of trouble on our journey. Let alone the comfort.”
Kaius grunted, reaching over to Porkchop to retrieve their traveler's pan, the chunk of spider leg, and as many cooking supplies as he thought he would need.
Keeping the tent a secret had been a tactical choice, if Ianmus had ever proved himself untrustworthy, an unknown ability to hide in plain sight would have been invaluable.
He told the mage as much as he went about cracking open the spider leg on a flat chopping board. The meat inside was delicate. Almost reminiscent of the rare crawfish he and Father would catch in the streams that networked the Sea.
“It wasn’t meant as a slight,” he assured. “We just wanted a gold piece tucked in our boot for if everything went to shit. Bit pointless now you’re bound by a similar secret.”
Frowning down at him, Ianmus looked displeased at his reasoning. He could understand, it was a bit of a bitter pill to swallow.
Eventually though, the mage sighed in acceptance and took his seat across from him.
They sat there in silence for a moment as he diced and spiced the spider meat. The questions would come soon, he was sure of it - but he didn’t want to press the issue.
If only he had some butter—if the spider was like crawfish it would have been perfect. Unfortunately, lard would have to do.
Ianmus sat with his elbows on his knees, head propped up by his hands as a scrunched expression of intense concentration stood frozen on his face. A moment later he sat up slowly and looked between them.
“I assume much of what you have told me was a falsity born out of necessity?” he asked.
Kaius bobbed his head, while Porkchop took the moment to respond.
“In a sense. Downplayed, details twisted and changed, and certain things omitted, but the broad strokes were there.”
Ianmus strummed his fingers against the canvas floor of the tent.
“This wasn’t your first Honour, was it?” he asked, watching them intently.
“My seventh, Porkchop’s sixth.” Kaius confirmed, looking up from his work to meet the half-elf’s eyes.
They widened in shock, a thin hiss escaping his clenched teeth. “So many? No wonder you are so strong. What’s the one Porkchop couldn’t get?”
Smirking slightly, Kaius raised his dominant hand, showing off the glyph that embossed his palm. “First one to discover glyph-binding. That’s not all, there’s bonuses too. Ones we’ve found are being the first in our ‘cohort’--whatever that means—as well as achieving one unclassed, and sometimes doing something solo. Though the last one gets murky; some honours are exclusively for doing certain feats solo.”
Rocking backwards at his reveal, Ianmus stared at him mutely for a drawn out moment.
“Unclassed…?” he finally forced out, slowly looking between them. As soon as he finished the word he trailed off, falling silent as he gathered his thoughts.
“It was you, wasn’t it?” Ianmus said slowly, chewing on his lip. “The phase shift.”
Kaius nodded slowly, methodically finishing his prep for their meal before he activated the Traveller’s Pan in front of him. Thankfully, it stayed cool on its exterior, so he could use it directly on the canvas.
“It was. Though it was unintentional; we were just trying to survive.” he replied, voice softening to a whisper as he thought back on the year of constantly living on the edge. The stress and tension that each day would be their last. It had honed him, and he had loved it, but there was still a weight to the experience.
A level of respect demanded that could not be denied.
“I…how?” Ianmus asked, curiosity and disbelief warring in his voice.
At the very least there was no anger in it. No hatred or accusation. That had been what worried Kaius the most.
“A year trapped in the second layer of the Depths. As unclassed no less.” Porkchop explained, shuffling closer on the fur layered mattress that enveloped him. As large as he had grown, there would be only just enough room for them to share the space. “One of the things Kaius forgot to mention is that there are also Minor and Major honours. We got a minor one for surviving a year in the Depths unclassed, and a Major for slaying a guardian. The latter was what kicked off the change, and gave us access to our classes.”
Ianmus whipped his head over to Porkchop, staring at him intently. “A whole year? How?”
He looked back to Kaius, then started looking between him and his brother rapidly.
“Your legacy.” he stated, settling on Porkchop once more. “You helped Kaius complete his own? I know completed legacies are common amongst the meles.”
“No,” Kaius said with a shake of his head. “I already had my own. But you are correct, they are how we survived, and eventually thrived. Once we found out about Honours, we pushed as hard as we could.”
Ianmus stared at him incredulously. “That…There have been no higher race dynasties with a complete legacy since the Eternal Empire. Not publicly at least.” his almond eyes searched Kaius’s face. “Who are you, Kaius? Why would you be so far from your people? Why are you not with them now? And why on all the gods hold dear would you attempt a Guardian?”
The deep weight of his grief revealed itself to Kaius once more, settling upon him like a leaden mantle. Weighing him down with the magnitude of his loss, and his responsibility to hold the perpetrators to account.
He breathed, feeling the emotion and letting it pass as his eyes drifted closed. When he opened them once more, he saw the contrition and concern in Ianmus’s face and smiled at him wearily.
“That...is a long story, but one I think we perhaps have time for.” he said slowly.
“It started when I was young, living in the Sea with my Father…”
….
Kaius told his tale, and he told it well, using his preoccupation with their lunch as an excuse to distract himself whenever it got too much. Porkchop would jump in then, filling in the gaps whenever he no longer had the stamina to continue.
They held nothing back, not at this point. His life in the forest, his lack of knowledge about his background. The flight from the tracker, and his meeting with Porkchop. Their battles and their plights, and the Honours they had earned on their journey.
He spoke of the weight of desperation during that year. His need to know of his father’s fate, and the dire tidings he returned to - learning that it was the Onyx Temple who were ultimately responsible.
Ianmus was a good listener. He had sat there enraptured in his tale, asking questions when appropriate, and giving the right amount of shocked gasps, cosmirations, and congratulations where needed. All in all, it made for a great bonding activity for their team. Far better than he had ever hoped it would go, at least.
They even shared their builds, and the existence of their additional racial traits and Heroic classes. That had fascinated Ianmus. He’d begged them to trawl through their old notifications, a boring and focus intensive experience, so that he could learn of their requirements. Something about building a ‘framework’ to understand class requirements better.
Ianmus too had shared his own. He did have a Rare class. Novitiate Solar Theurge, a class that encompassed both sorcery and free casting—and one that could easily bend in either direction further down the path.
He had his own legacy skills—five from the college, and two from his father. Most were merges of three to five, though one was seven. His other skills were nothing to sniff at either: three Unusual skills that he had acquired through dedicated shedding of blood and sweat. A good foundation—one they would be able to build upon handedly as they acquired more Honours in preparation for the second tier.
In all honesty, he was surprised Ianmus hadn’t gotten an Unusual class. If he had to guess, the sheltered nature of collegiate training had offset much of the effect his large number of legacy and high rarity skills would have had. Still, that was in some ways good news—with the feats they were acquiring, and the Honour he had gained, Kaius would be surprised if he didn’t completely skip a rarity and jump to at least Unique in the second tier.
Kaius finished his tale at the same time he finished cooking their lunch. Switching the pan off, a warm and spicy scent filled their tent. It smelt good, but odd. Remarkably similar to crawfish in the end, but without the tang of seafood that he was used to.
“And that’s it.” he said, pushing the pan away as he fetched some bowls.
“Amazing, and terrible for you to have experienced such.” Ianmus said with a shake of his head. Then his eyes blazed, impassioned and fierce. “The Onyx Temple are the worst of blackguards, and I would be more than happy to assist you in your blood debt.”
Kaius nodded his head in gratitude.
“I only request one thing.” Ianmus followed up.
“Oh?” Kaius asked, tilting his head at the man. He doubted he was trying to leverage something out of him, but he was curious about what he wanted.
“Take me with you to the end, and I will bleed as much as I have to to keep up. These Honours…Ekum, and the phases. It’s a mystery on a never before seen scale. So much could be found, and so much progress could be made. Let alone your magic, the scale and significance of it.” Ianmus said with fervour. “If I let this slip by I would never be able to sleep again.”
Kaius grinned, and his brother chuffed with joy.
“Of course.”
“We need you just as much; a god himself said so.” Porkchop quipped.
“Good…good—I am thankful.” Ianmus said with a bow of his head. “Now, bonded as a team in truth, I wish to ask for your thoughts on my next available skill. That fight pushed me to level forty-one.”
Kaius waved him off. “None of that. First, we eat. We can all delve into our statuses after lunch.”
Ladling the fried spider into bowls, he passed them out amongst his team, a budding warmth growing within him as he watched their latest member—both in deed and spirit—accept his cooking with a thankful smile. With no more secrets, and with Ianmus having taken the first step to supremacy, he hoped they would be able to keep their bond for years to come.
A/N: I was checking my exit surveys, and I saw that one of you had to cancel cause you got rear-ended a couple of days ago. Drop me a dm, i'll fix you up with some free access for a handful of months.
(if this isn't you, please don't be a cheeky bugger about it - if I have to, I will ask for verifiable proof and block everyone else who reached out - that means you get your access booted, and I won't do refunds.)
Similarly, if any of you feel like you have to cancel because you lost your job, or your house flooded or you live in the United States of Medical Debt or any other acute financial crisis - hit me up with some documentation on discord (redacted as needed, just stick a postit note with your username and date on the relevant proof or something), and I'll sort you out. I won't give indefinite access, but i'm happy to tide people through a rough patch if they are in need. Just don't be a cunt who abuses this, please - I reserve the right to unilaterally retract doing this at any time.
Comments
Christopher Johns
lol the United States of Medical Debt—I love that but the truth of it stings. Great chapter
Kenshii
Dang man I just joined but i’m happy i’m supporting such a community driven guy 🙏 that’s really cool of you to help out your fans
J Snyder
Not sure if you will see this… but as for “the loot”… would NONE of the ambushed caravans have left something worthwhile to scavenge??
Rick
I'm having issues with the v.a ..they claim they ran out of my medication ...going into the third week now ...BP thru the roof ...but other then that aggravation...I'm doing great 👍
Rick
That's awesome dude not many would do it ....I'm deeply impressed ...as for me I'm fine ...so far ...no huge medical bills ..fingers crossed ..I'm 66 and it could happen any day ...but I'm hoping it never does
DagNabItAll
I used to leave a message everytime I unsubbed from a story, but stopped when I figured only Patreon was seeing them.
Bacon Macleod
they're anonymised, but yeah - some people use them to flame as well which is kinda funny
lenkite
Aaah OK, usually that the difference between wizardry and sorcery in traditional D&D fantasy. Wizards have fixed spells, sorcerers have flexible meta-magic. But I guess its a bit different here.
Bacon Macleod
Yep, that’s a goof - should be unique
Kronos
United States of Medical Debt is way too accurate lol Btw that’s awesome for you to do, it makes me even more glad I’m able to support you and your story.
Kronos
My understanding is as follows from context and what has been described previously: Sorcery = spells that have predetermined parameters (faster, easier, more rigid) Free casting = using mana manipulation skills, etc to mimic effects of spells. (Longer build up time, flexible usage, requires skill and study)
Kronos
Tftc! “Kaius would be surprised if he didn’t completely skip a rarity and jump to at least Unusual in the second tier.” Correct me if I’m wrong but i think skipping a Tier of rarity from Rare would be Unique, not Unusual?
lenkite
"a class that encompassed both sorcery and free casting" What is the difference ? This was yet to be explained in the story, I think.
DagNabItAll
I didn't realize you actually saw those exit surveys, I thought it was just Patreon.
darthcrouch
That's awesome of you to do, not many people would pay attention to the reasons people have to quit with a subscription, you are a gem!
Bacon Macleod
My guy, For one, mentioning that the USA has higher rates of people suffering from financial stress due to healthcare costs is not a political statement, its a simple fact. I'm also not from the UK, I mentioned i'm from new zealand, and in the same sentence criticised my own country - that's pretty normal from what I have seen globally. I do have family in the UK, and their health-system is also dog doo doo, mostly because of systemic dismantling and underfunding of the NHS for the last 20 years Even if you exclude non-OECD countries, the USA still has pretty poor health outcomes for the level of monitary investment - not because it is bad, but because it is anomalously expensive and can be difficult for people to access. The fact that healthcare in the states is politicised is your business - everywhere else stating that I'm willing to throw some free reading at people if they are experiencing health-care related costs is just kindness, not a political statement. I made a light hearted jab at the USA, because in real terms that is where 90% of that specific financial stress occurs. And yes, 90% coverage does refer to insurance - lots other places with universal healthcare use a national insurance model. 10% of the population lacking coverage is still bad. Even if you *do* think user pays is fairer, or more effective, i don't understand why you wouldn't want it to be cost effective - currently it costs a shitload and isn't seeing the return on investment compared to outcomes in countries like Germany, or Australia. Nor do I understand why you have gotten so rankled at a very minor joke. Genuinely, I don't understand why its contentious to say it should be cheaper and more accessible. i can understand political differences on how to make that happen, but for acknowledging the problem even exists to be a political statement is so far outside of my lived experience that i'm very confused on how its a controversial comment. Hell, I didn't even say that it *should* be cheaper and more accessible, just that I was willing to help people out in a tough spot.
Brandon
My brother, the US uses a far-stricter methodology than most othet countries for determining IMR. Do you really think that Qatar has superior medical care to the USA? Really? The vast majority of medical advancements come from the USA because we are not stagnant, unlike Canada and most of Europe. I don’t know what country you’re from, I assume the UK, but the average UK citizen is poorer than the average citizen in ANY US state. To say that out country is stagnant or decaying while ignoring the MASSIVE problems in your own country is both hypocritical and foolish. As far as your “universal” healthcare system goes, we both know good and well that it has a great deal of flaws itself as there is no such thing as a perfect healthcare system that can provide infinite resources to an entire population. Now, instead of starting a stupid political debate in your Patreon focused on writing well-written fiction, why don’t you focus on that and not potentially piss off a portion of your fanbase over a topic that has literally no impact on YOUR life. Lastly, just so that you understand, your figure of 10% of Americans lacking healthcare is incorrect. The correct figure is that ~10% of people lack health INSURANCE, many by choice. No one in this country is denied healthcare for lack of insurance or money, it is in fact against the law for that to occur. Does that mean that everyone gets the absolute best and most expensive care for every condition regardless of means? No. However, no system offers such a thing nor could it. As far as medical debt goes, that debt goes uncollected in most cases with minimal to no financial harm to the people that have it. While hospitals CAN garnish wages, if the person in question truly has no money, they will rarely do so because there’s no point. Medical bills also cannot impact your credit nor can you lose your home over them or anything like that in most, if not all, states. As I said, your understanding of this issue is incomplete, as it should be given that it doesn’t inpact you, but you shouldn’t have an interest in taking unnecessary jabs at people just because. End rant, do with it what you will.
Bacon Macleod
USA by far and away has the highest healthcare expenditure per capita in the OECD - 56% higher than the next highest, which is germany. It's 4th globaly, but everyone else in the global top ten other than germany are very small, very poor countries where it is easy to do so. Despite that, it is 51st in infant mortality (worse than russia, china, UAE, Qatar, and a laundry list of european and oceanic countries) 65th in maternal mortality rate (worse, that figure has doubled since '85) 48th in life expectancy. 65% of bankrupcies in the states are medical related, vs 8% in the UK, 10 in AUS, and 19% in CAN - most other places don't even track this because it's basically unheard of. Literally a full quarter of working age americans struggle to pay medical related expenses. On top of that, 10% of the us population does not have healthcare coverage. Not exactly the signs of a functioning system. Yes, most places have private healthcare, but it works alongside a public system, is notably more accessible and cheaper than the states, and doesn't leave people destitute. As far as tax goes, the average income tax on a worker in the USA is 24.2%. The OECD average is....24.9%. Hell, I live in nz which has an average tax rate of 21.1% and we don't have capital gains tax at all (which I consider an issue, it has fucked out house prices and heavily disincentivised productive investment that boosts the economy - business investment etc). All that aside, its weird to laser focus on one tiny throw away line to get upset about me offering to give content away to people for free as a one of gesture of empathy. Singling out a unique flaw in the american healthcare system is categorically not a personal attack - taking milquetoast criticism of your nation as a personal affront is how stagnation and decay happens.
Bacon Macleod
I'm actually back down south in a while but skipping blenheim unfortunately. Chch to surprise my partners mum, then down to invers to see some more inlaws, then up to dunedin to see some old friends and haunts, then back to chch for a wedding, then back to welly - pray for me, it's gonna be a long 9 days
jim jaco
My girlfriend left me and took the dog. I will surely miss that dog.
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Tyrant Villager
Thanks for the chapter. United States of Medical Debt is entirely too accurate.☠️
CPTincognito
That was just a cheeky lighthearted jab at a very real American struggle. Let it go, or better yet, enjoy it like a real american lmao
Brandon
Uh huh, ask your friends across the border about time to access MRIs, cancer screenings/treatments, and specialized care without having to resort to private clinics. Also, ask them what their tax rates are and how their general economies are doing. By US standards, Canada and most of Europe are poorer than our poorest states and are massively taxed compared to low-income Americans. But hey, at least they have “free” healthcare, right?
Fred
cosmirations -> commiserations?
Brandon
There’s no such thing as “free” healthcare. Also, you can still get healthcare in the US even if you don’t have insurance and/or money. In most states, there’s really no real financial consequence to having medical debt either.
BelligerentGnu
It is, in fact, completely true. The difference my friends across the border experience is insanity.
Andrew Jones
you are a gem ❤️
Tim Judge
Good chapter. Yay for Land 🦞. Mmmmm. If you ever pass through Blenheim let me know and I'll shout you a beer or three.
M van Dongen
Reeled in, hook, line and sinker.
DSeraph
That’s really kind of you to offer to do that for people. Thank you for being willing to help out your members beyond writing a great story for us to read.
DSeraph
A little bit of general government directed snark sure. BS though? Medical bills ARE quite high in the US. There ARE people who can’t afford it. It’s not like it’s completely untrue.
Brandon
Come on man…I love this story, why did you have to add some snarky, BS comment about the US? Things aren’t as simple on that front as you’d like to believe.
Jordan King
That’s cool of you man. Glad I could support a good human.
